Where The Newspaper Stands

August 06, 2004

Rollin' on the river

Here you have it, the unappetizing scoop on poop

Put down that coffee. Finish your toast. You don't want to be eating while you read this.

Because it's about the fact that sewage -- human waste -- is contaminating some Newport New beaches. Hilton Beach has been closed to swimming since early July, and two beaches in the southern part of the city, at Anderson and King-Lincoln parks, have been off limits on occasion, too.

Here's the unappetizing part: It's possible that these beaches, and others, have been contaminated for some unknown time. No one can say for certain, because neither Virginia nor its localities tested the water consistently (with the exception of Norfolk and Virginia Beach). Virginia started weekly testing last year, spurred by a new law requiring states to monitor the quality of coastal recreational waters.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency is putting up the money to try to determine the source of any contamination, so it can be fixed. That's why, thanks to scientists from Virginia Tech, we know that human waste is the big culprit at these three beaches.

Animal waste -- from birds, pets and wildlife -- is also a problem, but less significant. There's not a whole lot we can do about that, although picking up after dogs helps. And incidentally, there's always some animal waste in the water; it's Mother Nature's nature. If it gives you the willies, bask at the beach but swim at a pool (trying not to think about the research findings that the water in public pools is often not all you'd hope for).

But human waste is another matter. It's supposed to be contained within the pipes, pumps and treatment facilities that collect, transport and render it unobjectionable -- and nonthreatening to health. The fact that it's showing up in local waterways indicates a problem somewhere in the system. Leaky pipes are a likely cause, especially given the age of the system in the Hilton area and the East End. Newport News tries to stay on top of the system, inspecting continuously and spending millions a year on maintenance but, as the saying goes, stuff happens.

The new tests are helpful in tracing the problem to its cause. The localized spike in bacterial counts at Hilton Beach may point to a leak that lets sewage into stormwater pipes that let out near the beach. And spike it was: The EPA advises against swimming if the bacteria count is above 104 colonies per 100 milliliters of water; at Hilton, it was 4,786 colonies, the vast majority of which could be traced to human waste. (Now aren't you glad you aren't eating?) Waterborne fecal contamination can cause gastrointestinal illnesses and ear, nose and throat infections. You can check the count for Newport News and York County beaches at www.vdh.state.va.us/whc/external _whc/peninsula_health_district_beach _.htm.

Now, sewer sleuths from the city and the Hampton Roads Sanitation District are working together to track down the problem.

Because now we know. And that's good, although the fact that neither Peninsula localities nor the state made the effort to learn the truth about beach water quality before they were required to isn't all that comforting. If at some point EPA grants don't cover the testing and detective work necessary, it will be up to localities and the state to finance that. The repairs, though, are paid for from user fees.

Bear in mind: It could be worse. Up in Richmond, the city's antiquated sewer and wastewater system sometimes dumps raw sewage into the James. That's another reminder that a river just carries along all the stuff people dump into it, which, in the case of Virginia's rivers, includes not just animal and human waste but also nitrogen and phosphorous from sewage treatment plants and factories, PCBs from as-yet-unknown sources, pollution from coal-fired treatment plants that settles out of the air, and who knows what else.

So check the signs, if you're a swimmer, to see if there's an advisory on the spot you favor. Consider mastering the dog paddle, if for no other reason than it keeps your head out of the water. *

No doubt Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick would like to push past his brush with the law and get on to his concierge days.

On Tuesday -- the same day Vick was convicted in New Kent County of reckless driving and possession of marijuana -- The Washington Post described the latest in big-time pro benefits: "A small army of personal assistants and lifestyle management firms has grown up around professional athletes, offering 'round-the-clock hand-holding that ranges from stocking refrigerators to paying the dry cleaner to making sure grandmothers get to the airport on time."

Housekeeper? Yacht? Rub down? Just dial this number. They, it, whatever will be right over.